Man behind the Mythology - Page 2 - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Estelyn Telcontar · 08-07-2003, 02:28 AM

Which persons did Tolkien think were the reason for the cooling off of his friendship with C. S. Lewis?

The Squatter of Amon Rûdh · 08-07-2003, 12:56 PM

Fellow Inkling Charles Williams and Lewis' wife, Joy Davidman. To what extent he was justified in that opinion is a matter for speculation.

Estelyn Telcontar · 08-07-2003, 01:26 PM

That's right, Squatter - your turn!

The Squatter of Amon Rûdh · 08-07-2003, 01:37 PM

Of what did Tolkien say "...it does seem such a mad hobby!"?

[ August 08, 2003: Message edited by: The Squatter of Amon Rûdh ]

THE Ka · 08-07-2003, 08:59 PM

Ok, i have a trivia question about tolkien...

Tolkien was the leading scholar on the subject of what two precious 14th century poems?

Hint: they were written anonymously, and about 70 miles away from oxford. they both shared the dialect of that region... [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Estelyn Telcontar · 08-07-2003, 09:37 PM

Welcome to the Downs, THE Ka! You need to answer the question correctly before asking a new one - for help, read the rules thread at the top of the quiz forum page. Enjoy yourself here!

Kaiserin · 08-14-2003, 03:46 AM

Quote:

Of what did Tolkien say "...it does seem such a mad hobby!"?

He was talking about creating languages, particularly his "nonsense fairy language" (in his own words).

[ August 14, 2003: Message edited by: Kaiserin ]

The Squatter of Amon Rûdh · 08-14-2003, 04:07 AM

As he wrote in a letter to his future wife. Absolutely correct.

Kaiserin · 08-14-2003, 06:59 PM

Okay, new question:

Tolkien, being a philologist and a devout Catholic, was in the team that worked on a certain Bible translation. What Bible translation is this?

[ August 14, 2003: Message edited by: Kaiserin ]

Estelyn Telcontar · 08-15-2003, 04:37 AM

The Jerusalem Bible is the translation in which Tolkien had a part. As he wrote in his letter to the Plimmers in 1967:

Quote:

I was consulted on one or two points of style, and criticized some contributions of others. I was originally assigned a large amount of text to translate, but after doing some necessary preliminary work I was obliged to resign owing to the pressure of other work, and only completed 'Jonah', one of the shortest books.

Kaiserin · 08-16-2003, 07:33 PM

The Jerusalem Bible is absolutely right! [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Estelyn Telcontar · 08-17-2003, 06:51 AM

Whose collection of Fairy Books did Tolkien compare to "stalls in a rummage-sale"?

The Squatter of Amon Rûdh · 08-17-2003, 08:25 AM

Andrew Lang's

Quote:

Andrew Lang's Fairy Books are not, perhaps, lumber-rooms. They are more like stalls in a rummage-sale. Someone with a duster and a fair eye for things that retain some value has been round the attics and box-rooms.

From On Fairy-Stories (Andrew Lang lecture to the University of St. Andrews - 8 March 1939)

Estelyn Telcontar · 08-17-2003, 09:17 AM

Quite right, Squatter - you have the floor for the next question.

The Squatter of Amon Rûdh · 08-17-2003, 09:31 AM

To which publication did Tolkien write satirically suggesting that the name of Oxford be changed to Doncaster in February 1945?

Estelyn Telcontar · 08-20-2003, 10:21 AM

He wrote to the "Catholic Herald"! [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] One of its correspondents got the etymology of Coventry wrong, which annoyed him so much that he made a sarcastic reply. However, he assumed that

Quote:

...he's probably too stupid to see even that mild quip.

The Squatter of Amon Rûdh · 08-20-2003, 12:14 PM

It was indeed the Catholic Herald. 'Coventry' derived from 'convent' indeed! Preposterous!

Estelyn Telcontar · 08-20-2003, 12:58 PM

Here's a new question: When and where was Tolkien's last photograph taken?

The Squatter of Amon Rûdh · 08-20-2003, 02:41 PM

It was taken on the 9th August 1973 in the Botanic Gardens in Oxford. Tolkien is pictured beside his favourite tree, a Pinus Nigra (see H. Carpenter: JRR Tolkien - A Biography).

Estelyn Telcontar · 08-20-2003, 03:25 PM

Absolutely right, Sir Squatter - I had just read LotR some months earlier... Pray proceed!

The Squatter of Amon Rûdh · 08-20-2003, 03:39 PM

Tolkien changed degrees after his first year at Oxford. What was his original course of study and to which subject did he convert later?

[ August 20, 2003: Message edited by: The Squatter of Amon Rûdh ]

Beren87 · 08-22-2003, 01:37 PM

More of a guess than anything, but I remember something about Classics to English Lang.?

The Squatter of Amon Rûdh · 08-25-2003, 12:57 PM

Well, he actually joined the Honour School of English, which included both language and literature; but only an incurable pedant wouldn't let you have that one. Your turn.

[ August 25, 2003: Message edited by: The Squatter of Amon Rûdh ]

HerenIstarion · 08-25-2003, 01:38 PM

Well, habitually I do not post to express mere approval, so I expect this one to stand during oncoming centuries as a monument and great sample of "what H-I was not usually involved into". But, since I can not stand the temptation this one time and would be glad to say:

<font color="red">Great Idea, this, Annunfuiniel [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

*H-I expects to plunge in soon

Beren87 · 08-25-2003, 01:54 PM

Well then, this is your chance to dive right in, then, HI. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

Which of Sinclair Lewis' books played an influence on the word "Hobbit"?

That's an oddly structured sentence, but I believe you get the point.

Turambar · 08-25-2003, 02:30 PM

Babbit, presumably.

Kaiserin · 09-03-2003, 06:04 AM

It's been ten days... I hope nobody minds if I post a new question.

"Taruithorn" is Tolkien's elvish word for what?

[ September 03, 2003: Message edited by: Kaiserin ]

Rimbaud · 09-03-2003, 07:49 AM

Oxford.

Kaiserin · 09-05-2003, 01:52 AM

You are right, of course [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Rimbaud · 09-05-2003, 03:17 AM

Quote:

And while he is there it is dangerous for him to ask too many questions, lest the gate should be shut and the keys be lost.

Of what speaks the Professor, and where would one find this snippet?

The Squatter of Amon Rûdh · 09-05-2003, 05:41 AM

In Tolkien's lecture On Fairy-Stories. He is talking about the realm of Faerie.

Rimbaud · 09-05-2003, 08:08 AM

Spot on, chap.

The Squatter of Amon Rûdh · 09-06-2003, 05:35 AM

What did Tolkien describe as "rationally nonsense, not to mention theologically blasphemous"?

The Squatter of Amon Rûdh · 09-14-2003, 04:35 PM

I'm bumping this thread up with a clue: this has to do with one of Tolkien's friends.

The X Phial · 09-14-2003, 04:46 PM

The clue was helpful. Tolkien was referring to the concept of "Miserific Vision" as conceived by C.S. Lewis.

From letter 291

Quote:

And of course the 'Miserific Vision' is rationally nonsense, not to say theologically blasphemous.

The Squatter of Amon Rûdh · 09-14-2003, 04:51 PM

That's the answer I was looking for. Like Beowulf, you have the floor. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

The X Phial · 09-14-2003, 04:57 PM

Cheers, dearest legal-tenant-by-possession.

Tolkien adjudicated a bet over the proper pronounciation of a poet's name. Which poet and what is the pronounciation Tolkien agreed with?

Bêthberry · 09-14-2003, 09:39 PM

Are you referring, XPhial, to Letter # 61, dated 18 April 1944, where Tolkien complains that he wasted time answering a letter from the Eighth Army, being asked to settle a wager on "how to pronounce the name of the poet Cowper. His full reply is as follows:

Quote:

Deeming it below the dignity of a 'Regius prof' to adjudicate on Big Money, I sent as Delphic an oracular reply as I could, giving the adjt. a good deal more fact, I expect, than he wanted. Not of course that there is any doubt that the poet called himself Cooper (of which his name is merely the older spelling): oup, owp spells oop in English: there are no aups (in Latin value) so stoup, group, soup and formerly also droup, stoup (verb), troup, coup(er), whouping-cough, loup etc. (not to mention roum, toumb).

P. 72 in my 1995 paperback HarperCollins edition.

*curtsies*

[ September 14, 2003: Message edited by: Bêthberry ]

The X Phial · 09-14-2003, 10:26 PM

I am, in fact, referring to that very letter and poet. We await your question Miss Berrydol.

Bêthberry · 09-15-2003, 07:20 AM

Interesting what flotsam and jetsam one files away, X. I had remembered that bit about Cowper, wondering if the soldiers of the Eighth Army had in fact been thinking of his The Castaway even while they wagered over the more insignificant question of pronounciation.

But as to my question, of what was Tolkien speaking when he said, Many people dislike being arrested? And where did he make his remark?

08-07-2003, 02:28 AM	#41
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	Which persons did Tolkien think were the reason for the cooling off of his friendship with C. S. Lewis? __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

08-07-2003, 12:56 PM	#42
The Squatter of Amon Rûdh Spectre of Decay Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Bar-en-Danwedh Posts: 2,178	Fellow Inkling Charles Williams and Lewis' wife, Joy Davidman. To what extent he was justified in that opinion is a matter for speculation. __________________ Man kenuva métim' andúne?

08-07-2003, 01:26 PM	#43
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	That's right, Squatter - your turn! __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

08-07-2003, 01:37 PM	#44
The Squatter of Amon Rûdh Spectre of Decay Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Bar-en-Danwedh Posts: 2,178	Of what did Tolkien say "...it does seem such a mad hobby!"? [ August 08, 2003: Message edited by: The Squatter of Amon Rûdh ] __________________ Man kenuva métim' andúne?

08-07-2003, 08:59 PM	#45
THE Ka Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: As with the flygja Posts: 1,403	Ok, i have a trivia question about tolkien... Tolkien was the leading scholar on the subject of what two precious 14th century poems? Hint: they were written anonymously, and about 70 miles away from oxford. they both shared the dialect of that region... [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] __________________ Vinur, vinur skilur tú meg? Veitst tú ongan loyniveg? Hevur tú reikað líka sum eg, í endaleysu tokuni?

08-07-2003, 09:37 PM	#46
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	Welcome to the Downs, THE Ka! You need to answer the question correctly before asking a new one - for help, read the rules thread at the top of the quiz forum page. Enjoy yourself here! __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

08-14-2003, 04:07 AM	#48
The Squatter of Amon Rûdh Spectre of Decay Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Bar-en-Danwedh Posts: 2,178	As he wrote in a letter to his future wife. Absolutely correct. __________________ Man kenuva métim' andúne?

08-14-2003, 06:59 PM	#49
Kaiserin Wight Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Cair Paravel Posts: 150	Okay, new question: Tolkien, being a philologist and a devout Catholic, was in the team that worked on a certain Bible translation. What Bible translation is this? [ August 14, 2003: Message edited by: Kaiserin ] __________________ The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.

08-16-2003, 07:33 PM	#51
Kaiserin Wight Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Cair Paravel Posts: 150	The Jerusalem Bible is absolutely right! [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] __________________ The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.

08-17-2003, 06:51 AM	#52
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	Whose collection of Fairy Books did Tolkien compare to "stalls in a rummage-sale"? __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

08-17-2003, 09:17 AM	#54
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	Quite right, Squatter - you have the floor for the next question. __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

08-17-2003, 09:31 AM	#55
The Squatter of Amon Rûdh Spectre of Decay Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Bar-en-Danwedh Posts: 2,178	To which publication did Tolkien write satirically suggesting that the name of Oxford be changed to Doncaster in February 1945? __________________ Man kenuva métim' andúne?

08-20-2003, 12:14 PM	#57
The Squatter of Amon Rûdh Spectre of Decay Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Bar-en-Danwedh Posts: 2,178	It was indeed the Catholic Herald. 'Coventry' derived from 'convent' indeed! Preposterous! __________________ Man kenuva métim' andúne?

08-20-2003, 12:58 PM	#58
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	Here's a new question: When and where was Tolkien's last photograph taken? __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

08-20-2003, 02:41 PM	#59
The Squatter of Amon Rûdh Spectre of Decay Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Bar-en-Danwedh Posts: 2,178	It was taken on the 9th August 1973 in the Botanic Gardens in Oxford. Tolkien is pictured beside his favourite tree, a Pinus Nigra (see H. Carpenter: JRR Tolkien - A Biography). __________________ Man kenuva métim' andúne?

08-20-2003, 03:25 PM	#60
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	Absolutely right, Sir Squatter - I had just read LotR some months earlier... Pray proceed! __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

08-20-2003, 03:39 PM	#61
The Squatter of Amon Rûdh Spectre of Decay Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Bar-en-Danwedh Posts: 2,178	Tolkien changed degrees after his first year at Oxford. What was his original course of study and to which subject did he convert later? [ August 20, 2003: Message edited by: The Squatter of Amon Rûdh ] __________________ Man kenuva métim' andúne?

08-22-2003, 01:37 PM	#62
Beren87 Master of the Secret Fire Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Between fire and ice, death and life Posts: 2,241	More of a guess than anything, but I remember something about Classics to English Lang.?

08-25-2003, 12:57 PM	#63
The Squatter of Amon Rûdh Spectre of Decay Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Bar-en-Danwedh Posts: 2,178	Well, he actually joined the Honour School of English, which included both language and literature; but only an incurable pedant wouldn't let you have that one. Your turn. [ August 25, 2003: Message edited by: The Squatter of Amon Rûdh ] __________________ Man kenuva métim' andúne?

08-25-2003, 01:38 PM	#64
HerenIstarion Deadnight Chanter Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 4,244	Well, habitually I do not post to express mere approval, so I expect this one to stand during oncoming centuries as a monument and great sample of "what H-I was not usually involved into". But, since I can not stand the temptation this one time and would be glad to say: <font color="red">Great Idea, this, Annunfuiniel [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] *H-I expects to plunge in soon __________________ Egroeg Ihkhsal - Would you believe in the love at first sight? - Yes I'm certain that it happens all the time!

08-25-2003, 01:54 PM	#65
Beren87 Master of the Secret Fire Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Between fire and ice, death and life Posts: 2,241	Well then, this is your chance to dive right in, then, HI. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] Which of Sinclair Lewis' books played an influence on the word "Hobbit"? That's an oddly structured sentence, but I believe you get the point.

08-25-2003, 02:30 PM	#66
Turambar Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Non-Stop Home Posts: 859	Babbit, presumably. __________________ In the upper air the fireflies move more slowly.

09-03-2003, 06:04 AM	#67
Kaiserin Wight Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Cair Paravel Posts: 150	It's been ten days... I hope nobody minds if I post a new question. "Taruithorn" is Tolkien's elvish word for what? [ September 03, 2003: Message edited by: Kaiserin ] __________________ The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.

09-03-2003, 07:49 AM	#68
Rimbaud The Perilous Poet Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Heart of the matter Posts: 1,062	Oxford. __________________ And all the rest is literature

09-05-2003, 01:52 AM	#69
Kaiserin Wight Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Cair Paravel Posts: 150	You are right, of course [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] __________________ The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.

09-05-2003, 05:41 AM	#71
The Squatter of Amon Rûdh Spectre of Decay Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Bar-en-Danwedh Posts: 2,178	In Tolkien's lecture On Fairy-Stories. He is talking about the realm of Faerie. __________________ Man kenuva métim' andúne?

09-05-2003, 08:08 AM	#72
Rimbaud The Perilous Poet Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Heart of the matter Posts: 1,062	Spot on, chap. __________________ And all the rest is literature

09-06-2003, 05:35 AM	#73
The Squatter of Amon Rûdh Spectre of Decay Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Bar-en-Danwedh Posts: 2,178	What did Tolkien describe as "rationally nonsense, not to mention theologically blasphemous"? __________________ Man kenuva métim' andúne?

09-14-2003, 04:35 PM	#74
The Squatter of Amon Rûdh Spectre of Decay Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Bar-en-Danwedh Posts: 2,178	I'm bumping this thread up with a clue: this has to do with one of Tolkien's friends. __________________ Man kenuva métim' andúne?

09-14-2003, 04:51 PM	#76
The Squatter of Amon Rûdh Spectre of Decay Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Bar-en-Danwedh Posts: 2,178	That's the answer I was looking for. Like Beowulf, you have the floor. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] __________________ Man kenuva métim' andúne?

09-14-2003, 04:57 PM	#77
The X Phial Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Out there with the truth. Come find me. Posts: 317	Cheers, dearest legal-tenant-by-possession. Tolkien adjudicated a bet over the proper pronounciation of a poet's name. Which poet and what is the pronounciation Tolkien agreed with? __________________ But then there was a star danced, and under that was I born.

09-14-2003, 10:26 PM	#79
The X Phial Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Out there with the truth. Come find me. Posts: 317	I am, in fact, referring to that very letter and poet. We await your question Miss Berrydol. __________________ But then there was a star danced, and under that was I born.

09-15-2003, 07:20 AM	#80
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 5,997	Interesting what flotsam and jetsam one files away, X. I had remembered that bit about Cowper, wondering if the soldiers of the Eighth Army had in fact been thinking of his The Castaway even while they wagered over the more insignificant question of pronounciation. But as to my question, of what was Tolkien speaking when he said, Many people dislike being arrested? And where did he make his remark? __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.

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